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Minutes for HB2366 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Requiring prosecutors to disclose their intent to introduce testimony from a jailhouse witness and to forward information to the Kansas bureau of investigation.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 7, 2022
Chairperson Warren opened the hearing on HB2366.
Jason Thompson, Senior Assistant Revisor, provided an overview of HB2366 and responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 5)
Tricia Rojo Bushnell testified in support of HB2366 stating this bill would provide transparency and reliable evidence that would be used in the conviction process and codify the process that is described under the U.S. Constitution requirements. (Attachment 6)
Olin (Ben) Coones testified in support of HB2366 relating his personal story as the son of a falsely accused, convicted man who was incarcerated 13 years before being exonerated. (Attachment 7)
Written only testimony supporting HB2366 was submitted by:
- Clayton Perkins, Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Attachment 8)
- Lindsie Ford, Public Policy Attorney, Kansas Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence (Attachment 9)
- Aileen Berquist, Community Engagement Manager, ACLU-KS (Attachment 10)
- Rebecca Brown, Director of Policy, National Innocence Project (Attachment 11)
Questions from Committee members were addressed.
Melody Blitzer testified in support of HB2366 relating the impact on her, her family, and her father, who was a convicted and exonerated Kansas inmate. (Attachment 12)
Darrin Devinney testified in opposition to HB2366 stating there are already protections in place for all criminal prosecutions. HB2366 has evaluations in place and these are issues for a jury to determine. Further, HB2366 would require an additional pre-trial hearing for murder and rape crimes but not other crimes; require establishing a database for all agreements by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and a need to make the database accessible to prosecutors; and require additional notification to connected victims. (Attachment 13)
Mr. Devinney responded to questions from Committee members.
Chairperson Warren closed the hearing on HB2366.
The meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, February 8, 2022.
